On Monday, July 24th, Bedford Grange held an election and most officers changed positions including Secretary and Treasurer. We also elected our newest obligated member to be Lady Assistant Steward! We also voted in a new member who will see the 1873 degrees in Minnesota in a few weeks. An exciting evening over all.

We look forward to a great Grange year and invite all to join us for a short business meeting, summer potluck, and game night at the home of Sister Jo-Ann in Lowell in July! Check this site and our Facebook page for more information!

On Monday, June 3rd, National Grange President Edward L. Luttrell presented RAM the first William Saunders Award for Rural Awareness for their Super Bowl Commercial, “God Made a Farmer.”

“This commercial was not about RAM, but about the way RAM validated and honored the values of farmers and farm families,” Luttrell said before presenting the award toCarlos Jimenez, Director of Chrysler’s Mid-Atlantic Business Center. “It made a nation pause and reflect on the work that goes into feeding America and much of the world and started a conversation in small towns and large urban centers.”

Lots of outdoor activities are planned. Bring a picnic lunch, or lunch will be available for a donation of $9/adult or $4/children under 10. Park entrance fee is $1/person. Reservations must be made by July 27 to Janet Horne.

It is a great time to meet other Grangers and their families in a relaxed, fun setting.

Bedford Grange sends thoughts and prayers to those who have been affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma and the midwest.

From the American Red Cross:

“This has been a major disaster, and the Red Cross will be there for the people in this state and this community. People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas as well as disasters big and small throughout the United States by visiting redcross.org, dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.”

Click on the picture to read the full press release at the National Grange website.

From the National Grange press release:

““The Grange has long been an opponent of the estate tax. It does nothing but prevent the American dream from becoming a reality,” National Grange President Edward Luttrell said. “Farmers and ranchers all over the country have worked their entire lives in order to leave their children something substantial that could be passed on to future generations and the inheritance tax does nothing but work to destroy that legacy.”

“So many multi-generational farms and ranches have been lost because of the inheritor’s inability to pay the estate tax on the property. The original owners already worked to pay off this land so their children would be land owners able to support continued operations or realize the investment of ownership,” National Grange Legislative Director Grace Boatright said.”

A Guest Blogger on the National Grange’s View From the Hill blog writes:

“While there is still work to be done to ensure that all Americans in rural communities have access to mobile broadband, the outlook is positive. Broadband providers are stepping up with creative ways to serve unserved communities, and those communities are utilizing that service to adopt new, innovative applications tailored to their lives. It’s no wonder the issue has drawn the attention of Congress.”

Monday, April 22nd at 8:00 pm
First Church of Christ, Congregational
25 The Great Road
Bedford, MA

Our Master (President) writes on his blog at Bedford Patch:

Grange members consider themselves a part of a big, interconnected family. We care about each other and check in when things happen in each other’s lives. I live in Roslindale and work at Old South Church in Copley Square, and I haven’t been able to go to work this week and have spent this Friday morning in lock down mode per request of the city.

Yet there in my Facebook Feed, in my e-mail, and text messages are the loving and tender messages from Grange friends all over the country asking about my health and the city I love. There is a connection deeper than friendship shown among Grange members and that is why we call ourselves brothers and sisters.

As a family, the Grange has its own traditions and ceremonies. We have a ceremonial opening and closing to our Grange meetings. We welcome new members through an obligation ceremony that introduces them to the Grange and its aims and objectives. We have ceremonies called “Degrees” that even more fully explain the symbolism of the Grange and introduce members to different levels of the Grange organization.

These ceremonies may seem to be outdated and antiquated, but I feel that they are an indispensible part of what the Grange is. They are a link to our storied past and a great introduction to our organization for new members. I like the idea that I can travel the country and with some regional variations, know that I am at a Grange meeting and connected through ritual to great people across the country.

Come and find out more about the amazing nature of our great organization and perhaps take the Obligation Ceremony and join. We swing wide the doors of friendship and bid you welcome!

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Our Next Meeting:

Monday, June 22nd, 8:00 pm First Church of Christ, Congregational 25 The Great Road, Bedford, MA Join us as we elect our officers for the coming two years. We are always open to new members – come and check us out!